In a day where the divide between Republicans and Democrats has never been wider, there are many ways both of these groups have gone away from traditional values. Most of these have been made by Republicans. I have been a Republican all of my life. Although I'm only 21 years old, I have a deep knowledge of political science based on my own research, and not listening to main stream news outlets who are more often than not, biased towards one party. I listen only to NPR and the BBC, who to me broadcast the only form of unbiased political news that's available. I believe in the power of big business, but at the same time don't shave out the little guy; a traditional Republican view, except now when it's all about the wallets of big business, and not the success.

Now to my point. My party has gone off the deep end. With a lack of leadership, the party has become a loose cannon of rich people. It used to be a proud and respected party. Right now I'm ashamed to call myself a Republican.

The latest nominee, Mitt Romney, is a complete joke. A man who cares about nothing except protecting the rich. A man who wants to lower taxes in a time where taxes need to be raised(especially the rich), and eliminate teacher's unions. What kind of nominee is that? From a true Republican, it's an embarrassment. This is a man who won't even release his tax documents. What does that tell us? It tells us if he's unwilling to release such a small part of life, he won't hesitate to hide things from the American people as our president. That's just my opinion of course.

My whole point being, right now all Republicans are being labeled as selfish pigs, for good reason too. But to be honest, there are a large percentage of us who are realistic, and believe in bipartisanship through negotiation, but we don't have a voice. The voice belongs to the rich "leaders" of this party.

Just wanted to get that out. I've really enjoyed reading debate on this site, but there seems to be a label put on "Republicans" here that I haven't seen on other sites. Basically what I'm saying is some think every one that calls themself a Republican is the scum of the earth. This isn't the case. The media, along with the stupidity of a lack of leadership of the party are the reason people think that.

Thanks for reading! I love debating politics, so you'll probably see me post often in this section. :)

JustAlex

08-05-2012, 12:19 PM

Dude, pardon the pun but.....join the party!

Become an Independent!

Both parties are corrupt, both of them to a certain extent are the same side of a coin, and neither is willing to compromise or work together.

Imagine a country where there are ZERO political parties....where a politician must run on his word and not bow down to whatever ideology his/her party DEMANDS him/her to have!

MadMan1978

08-05-2012, 01:00 PM

thats gets a CHRUCH! :love0030::love0030::love0030:

Wickabee

08-05-2012, 01:31 PM

For the record, when I say "Republicans" I'm talking about the Republican representatives in government, not necessarily supporters. When I say "Conservatives" that's the everyday (generally) Republican supporter.

I figured there was a large segment of conservatives who felt this way, glad to see someone actually admit it instead of suffering in silence to never speak ill of their leaders.

mrveggieman

08-06-2012, 09:40 AM

I agree with everything said so far. Also I have been doing some research on the libertarian party. Although I won't be voting libertarian this election (I refuse to have my vote support romney) they have some great ideas and I would love to see them get a bigger share of the pie in the future and hopefully have a great third party canidate lead our country in the right direction.

ALADOG

08-06-2012, 10:10 AM

In a day where the divide between Republicans and Democrats has never been wider, there are many ways both of these groups have gone away from traditional values. Most of these have been made by Republicans. I have been a Republican all of my life. Although I'm only 21 years old, I have a deep knowledge of political science based on my own research, and not listening to main stream news outlets who are more often than not, biased towards one party. I listen only to NPR and the BBC, who to me broadcast the only form of unbiased political news that's available. I believe in the power of big business, but at the same time don't shave out the little guy; a traditional Republican view, except now when it's all about the wallets of big business, and not the success.

Now to my point. My party has gone off the deep end. With a lack of leadership, the party has become a loose cannon of rich people. It used to be a proud and respected party. Right now I'm ashamed to call myself a Republican.

The latest nominee, Mitt Romney, is a complete joke. A man who cares about nothing except protecting the rich. A man who wants to lower taxes in a time where taxes need to be raised(especially the rich), and eliminate teacher's unions. What kind of nominee is that? From a true Republican, it's an embarrassment. This is a man who won't even release his tax documents. What does that tell us? It tells us if he's unwilling to release such a small part of life, he won't hesitate to hide things from the American people as our president. That's just my opinion of course.

My whole point being, right now all Republicans are being labeled as selfish pigs, for good reason too. But to be honest, there are a large percentage of us who are realistic, and believe in bipartisanship through negotiation, but we don't have a voice. The voice belongs to the rich "leaders" of this party.

Just wanted to get that out. I've really enjoyed reading debate on this site, but there seems to be a label put on "Republicans" here that I haven't seen on other sites. Basically what I'm saying is some think every one that calls themself a Republican is the scum of the earth. This isn't the case. The media, along with the stupidity of a lack of leadership of the party are the reason people think that.

Thanks for reading! I love debating politics, so you'll probably see me post often in this section. :)

Looking at your post you are more of a RINO than real republican. That being said, I am a conservative, not republican or democrat, usually voting republican because they are the only alternative I can stomach.

pghin08

08-06-2012, 10:15 AM

Looking at your post you are more of a RINO than real republican. That being said, I am a conservative, not republican or democrat.

The fact that a term like "RINO" exists shows how large a schism there is within the party. I've never called anyone a "DINO" before.

ALADOG

08-06-2012, 10:18 AM

The fact that a term like "RINO" exists shows how large a schism there is within the party. I've never called anyone a "DINO" before.

No his veiws are more akin to democrats than republicans. Raise taxes / pro union

pghin08

08-06-2012, 10:48 AM

No his veiws are more akin to democrats than republicans. Raise taxes / pro union

Being a Republican doesn't mean you have to be against all tax increases at any time (thanks, Grover Norquist). George H.W. Bush raised taxes, and it didn't make him less of a Republican. In fact, I'd venture to say he was a pretty decent President. A party should have flexibility, not just "Believe this, or else you're not one of us." That's called a cult.

Good Ole Jim

08-06-2012, 11:27 AM

The fact that some think that just because you belong to a party, you can't adjust your views per the time period to what you think is right, is exactly what's wrong right now.

In a time where we have a national deficet that quite frankly scares me, it is only logical to raise taxes in my opinion. I'm saying that as a person that belongs on the right side of the spectrum. I don't believe my ideas are more Democratic, I still believe in the power of big business to drive an economy...the biggest core belief that a Republican has.

ALADOG

08-06-2012, 11:32 AM

The fact that a term like "RINO" exists shows how large a schism there is within the party. I've never called anyone a "DINO" before.

No those in your party call them "Blue Dogs"

pghin08

08-06-2012, 11:34 AM

No those in your party call them "Blue Dogs"

"Blue Dog" isn't a derogatory term like how RINO is used nowadays. Liberal Dems have pretty much zero problem with Blue Dog Dems.

ALADOG

08-06-2012, 11:36 AM

The fact that some think that just because you belong to a party, you can't adjust your views per the time period to what you think is right, is exactly what's wrong right now.

In a time where we have a national deficet that quite frankly scares me, it is only logical to raise taxes in my opinion. I'm saying that as a person that belongs on the right side of the spectrum. I don't believe my ideas are more Democratic, I still believe in the power of big business to drive an economy...the biggest core belief that a Republican has.

You are against reduction of the deficit if you are for unions and taxes on the so called rich. you do understand that the proposed tax increase on the rich, if all was applied to the debt, would only reduce the annual deficit 2% and not touch the debt. Cuts in spending are the way to balance the deficit and national debt.

ALADOG

08-06-2012, 11:38 AM

"Blue Dog" isn't a derogatory term like how RINO is used nowadays. Liberal Dems have pretty much zero problem with Blue Dog Dems.

I have enver heard RINO explained as a derogatory term. Just wanted to point out that the democrats also have different views within the party.

mrveggieman

08-06-2012, 11:48 AM

Being a Republican doesn't mean you have to be against all tax increases at any time (thanks, Grover Norquist). George H.W. Bush raised taxes, and it didn't make him less of a Republican. In fact, I'd venture to say he was a pretty decent President. A party should have flexibility, not just "Believe this, or else you're not one of us." That's called a cult.

No that is called an conservative christian. :sign0020: Sorry I couldn't resist.

pghin08

08-06-2012, 12:04 PM

I have enver heard RINO explained as a derogatory term. Just wanted to point out that the democrats also have different views within the party.

It's absolute essence is a derogatory term. If you considered yourself a Christian, and someone said to you "No, you're just a Christian in name only", then you'd be horribly offended, because that person doesn't see you as a true Christian. It's the same thing.

Good Ole Jim

08-06-2012, 04:04 PM

You are against reduction of the deficit if you are for unions and taxes on the so called rich. you do understand that the proposed tax increase on the rich, if all was applied to the debt, would only reduce the annual deficit 2% and not touch the debt. Cuts in spending are the way to balance the deficit and national debt.

I don't believe that to be true. I don't believe I ever said that taxing the rich would magically solve all of our debt problems. What it does do is end this stupid "trickle down" philosophy. In my opinion this philosophy was a mirage created by the rich to get out of paying such high taxes. Most of these rich people are investors and large business owners. We need to get them spending money... Them spending money helps the circulation of currency, creates jobs, puts money into other people's hands that will spend it, thus stimulating the economy enough to stabilize it, which hopefully in turn would help to slowly deflate the deficit.

Even as a Republican I think there is no way to cut the budget far enough down to sustain our already outdated education system and health care systems. I approve of Obama Care, whether I get crap about that or not doesn't concern me. It's time to move in to the future, where a country like the US is easily well enough off to provide this for its people. Teacher's unions are the one voice teachers have nowadays. Have you ever sat in a teacher's classroom and watched before just as an observer? Whether it's elementary or high school, the result is the same. They are severely under payed for the work they do. The people who are responsible with bestowing knowledge on the youth shouldn't have to get 2nd jobs just to stay afloat in life.

That's my opinion. I can feel that any Republican here would attempt to tear me to shreds, but sometimes morality comes before money.

mrveggieman

08-06-2012, 04:09 PM

I don't believe that to be true. I don't believe I ever said that taxing the rich would magically solve all of our debt problems. What it does do is end this stupid "trickle down" philosophy. In my opinion this philosophy was a mirage created by the rich to get out of paying such high taxes. Most of these rich people are investors and large business owners. We need to get them spending money... Them spending money helps the circulation of currency, creates jobs, puts money into other people's hands that will spend it, thus stimulating the economy enough to stabilize it, which hopefully in turn would help to slowly deflate the deficit.

Even as a Republican I think there is no way to cut the budget far enough down to sustain our already outdated education system and health care systems. I approve of Obama Care, whether I get crap about that or not doesn't concern me. It's time to move in to the future, where a country like the US is easily well enough off to provide this for its people. Teacher's unions are the one voice teachers have nowadays. Have you ever sat in a teacher's classroom and watched before just as an observer? Whether it's elementary or high school, the result is the same. They are severely under payed for the work they do. The people who are responsible with bestowing knowledge on the youth shouldn't have to get 2nd jobs just to stay afloat in life.

That's my opinion. I can feel that any Republican here would attempt to tear me to shreds, but sometimes morality comes before money.

CHURCH!! :love0030::love0030::love0030:

Wickabee

08-06-2012, 04:15 PM

You are against reduction of the deficit if you are for unions and taxes on the so called rich. you do understand that the proposed tax increase on the rich, if all was applied to the debt, would only reduce the annual deficit 2% and not touch the debt. Cuts in spending are the way to balance the deficit and national debt.

How much of the debt could 1 month of military spending hit. Just curious.

pghin08

08-06-2012, 04:24 PM

How much of the debt could 1 month of military spending hit. Just curious.

If the US were to cut their TOTAL defense budget (let's use fiscal year 2011) by one month (so 1/12th), that would be a $77 billion savings. If you cut veteran expenses out of that number, it would be almost $66 billion.

JustAlex

08-06-2012, 04:26 PM

HAHA....wow, this thread is so indicative why we desperately need to do away with the two party system.

Seriously, why is this so hard???

Why can't we have everyone run as individuals, no more nonsense!

No more republicans or democrats!

When senators and congressmen vote on bills, they'll vote on how they really feel, not how their party tells them to vote.

ALADOG

08-06-2012, 04:58 PM

HAHA....wow, this thread is so indicative why we desperately need to do away with the two party system.

Seriously, why is this so hard???

Why can't we have everyone run as individuals, no more nonsense!

No more republicans or democrats!

When senators and congressmen vote on bills, they'll vote on how they really feel, not how their party tells them to vote.

How do you then assign commitees, chairmen, ect.

Wickabee

08-06-2012, 05:20 PM

How do you then assign commitees, chairmen, ect.

I'm not going to say I have a real idea of the particulars, but I'm sure a nation as smart as the US could come up with alternative ways to do that without having to resort to parties.
Are there any other, actual reasons the party system is necessary?

JustAlex

08-06-2012, 05:43 PM

Are there any other, actual reasons the party system is necessary?
There's only ONE (IMO)......MONEY!